STRATTON-on-the-FOSS, a parish in the hundred
of KILMERSDON, county of SOMERSET, 6 miles (N. N.
E.) from Shepton-Mallet, containing 317 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Wells, and diocese of Bath and Wells, rated in the
king's books at £9. 11. 5., and in the patronage of the
King, as Duke of Cornwall. The church is dedicated to
St. Vigor. The village is situated on the ancient Fosse
way, which now forms part of the turnpike-road leading
from Bath to Shepton-Mallet. On the eastern side of the
road is Downside College, an elegant and stately edifice,
established for the education of Roman Catholic children,
and those designed for the service of that church.- Coal,
iron-stone, and marl, are found in abundance, the former
affording considerable employment to the poor. The
Bath market is principally supplied with butter from
the dairy farms in this neighbourhood.